Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>

Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain <i>Babesia</i> development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of <i>Babesia</i> species r...

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Main Author: Stephane Delbecq
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/99
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author Stephane Delbecq
author_facet Stephane Delbecq
author_sort Stephane Delbecq
collection DOAJ
description Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain <i>Babesia</i> development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of <i>Babesia</i> species responsible for human babesiosis, although, to date, most cases have been attributed to <i>B. microti</i> and <i>B. divergens</i>. These two species have been extensively studied, and in this review, we mostly focus on the antigens involved in host–parasite interactions. We present features of the major antigens, so-called Bd37 in <i>B. divergens</i> and BmSA1/GPI12 in <i>B. microti</i>, and highlight the roles of these antigens in both host cell invasion and immune response. A comparison of these antigens with the major antigens found in some other Apicomplexa species emphasizes the importance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in host–parasite relationships. GPI-anchor cleavage, which is a property of such antigens, leads to soluble and membrane-bound forms of these proteins, with potentially differential recognition by the host immune system. This mechanism is discussed as the structural basis for the protein-embedded immune escape mechanism. In conclusion, the potential consequences of such a mechanism on the management of both human and animal babesiosis is examined.
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spelling doaj.art-aa0c54ff04814e8580afb1ee2a4b4a0e2023-11-23T15:00:21ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172022-01-011119910.3390/pathogens11010099Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>Stephane Delbecq0Centre de Biologie Structurale, Faculté de Pharmacie, University of Montpellier, UMR CNRS 5048, 34090 Montpellier, FranceHuman babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain <i>Babesia</i> development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of <i>Babesia</i> species responsible for human babesiosis, although, to date, most cases have been attributed to <i>B. microti</i> and <i>B. divergens</i>. These two species have been extensively studied, and in this review, we mostly focus on the antigens involved in host–parasite interactions. We present features of the major antigens, so-called Bd37 in <i>B. divergens</i> and BmSA1/GPI12 in <i>B. microti</i>, and highlight the roles of these antigens in both host cell invasion and immune response. A comparison of these antigens with the major antigens found in some other Apicomplexa species emphasizes the importance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in host–parasite relationships. GPI-anchor cleavage, which is a property of such antigens, leads to soluble and membrane-bound forms of these proteins, with potentially differential recognition by the host immune system. This mechanism is discussed as the structural basis for the protein-embedded immune escape mechanism. In conclusion, the potential consequences of such a mechanism on the management of both human and animal babesiosis is examined.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/99glycosylphosphatidylinositolprotein structureantigen
spellingShingle Stephane Delbecq
Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>
Pathogens
glycosylphosphatidylinositol
protein structure
antigen
title Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>
title_full Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>
title_fullStr Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>
title_full_unstemmed Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>
title_short Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>
title_sort major surface antigens in zoonotic i babesia i
topic glycosylphosphatidylinositol
protein structure
antigen
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/99
work_keys_str_mv AT stephanedelbecq majorsurfaceantigensinzoonoticibabesiai